Chapter IX · Chapter 9

in actual fact

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Amy, what are you pondering?"

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Amy, what are you pondering?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

having made preparations

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

with evasion; in an evasive manner

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

showing curiosity

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

engage in

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading MATTY.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

the force of workers available

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

freedom from vanity or conceit

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

above and across; more than

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

go across or through

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading "Amy, what are you pondering?"

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

on the contrary

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

a state of forcible subjugation

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

plural of “shortcoming” — a failing or deficiency

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

the adult male singing voice above baritone

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Amy, what are you pondering?"

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "We will pass over the modesty of the remark," said Bessie Sanford, "but we insist upon knowing--do we not, Milly?--the tenor of the meditations which have actually kept you quiet for--let me see--I think it must be full two minutes by the clock."

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading "Men and things in general and their iniquities in particular; my own not being included, they being nothing worth speaking of," I answered, rather evasively, not being disposed at present to make public the nature of my cogitations, which really had to do with my own shortcomings.

be the cause or source of

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Amy, what are you pondering?"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading "That inquisitive spirit of yours needs repression, Elizabeth," I said: "therefore I shall not yield to your demands."